DOTHA Interview #11 – Kelly Brack

Today, we talk to the man we started it all, DOTHA’s curator Kelly Brack…

Hello boss. Please introduce yourself and your story in the collection…

My name is Kelly Brack and I’m a comic book writer from Vancouver, Canada. Within DOTHA, I have a story called Old Wounds with good friend and frustratingly talented Chris Shehan, colourist Dee Cunniffe and letterer Micah Myers.

What do you find scarier in horror stories: inhuman monsters or monstrous humans?

Personally, I find monstrous humans a lot more terrifying. We watch the news and hear real life stories about events from all over the world with monstrous humans doing horrible acts and it’s scary to think such evil can literally be next door.

What scary movie, book or comic do you think every horror fan should experience?

Halloween. I think that is the most perfectly crafted horror movie ever made. Everything from the simplicity of the score and film direction to the stoic/predator like nature of Michael Myers – everything about that film terrifies me. Highly recommended.

All I wish right now is that Eric Palicki has finally seen this film, because it’s been bothering me for awhile now.

Tell me something cool about Old Wounds.

The cool thing about Old Wounds is that it was always meant to be a subjective tale. I believe we did the story in a way that, if you want a definitive beginning/middle/end, you’ve got it – but it’s also very heavy with metaphors and ambiguity which should make for interesting reader perception. The other cool thing about Old Wounds is the experience making it. Chris Shehan, Dee Cunniffe and Micah Myers are just about the best collaborative partners I could ask for – and I’m so excited for people to see and read what we put together.

What’s your top tip for creating a scary story?

With creating any story – you have to begin by asking yourself important questions – but it’s also very personal to a certain degree. I think those two things for writing a horror story are extremely important. Ask yourself…(What makes you scared? Why did it make you scared? What were the trials and emotions involved? How did you overcome? etc…), after asking yourself those questions, you will likely find a nerve within yourself that becomes personal and panic-stricken. If your story doesn’t scare you – it likely won’t scare anyone else.